Several years ago, Michael Hyatt (former CEO of Thomas Nelson) responded to a rumor on his blog. In the post, Michael wrote,

“According to the most recent rumor—which I’ve now heard twice—we [Thomas Nelson] are planning a layoff for June 19th … There is absolutely no truth to it … If you hear this rumor, I would be grateful if you would help me short-circuit it. You can tell ’em it’s not true, and you heard it directly from me.”

I recall when this rumor was circulating and was saddened (and surprised) at how many Christians believed it without going straight to Michael to see if it was true or false. Here’s another example that’s much more national.[Continue Reading…]

If you are producing fruit for God’s kingdom, people will judge your intentions. And some of them — tragically — will even be Christians. Two points about this problem.

First: Beware imputing bad motives to the hearts of others, for whenever you do, you simply reveal what’s in your own heart. The piece of saw dust that you perceive in your sister/brother’s eye came from the telephone pole that sits in your own (Matthew 7:1-4).

A person who has pride in their hearts will assign pride to the motives and actions of others. “To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure…” (Titus 1:15).

By contrast, “love thinks no evil” of others (1 Corinthians 13). Those who walk in the Spirit think the best of their siblings in Christ and never presume to judge their intentions.

Second: When someone judges your motives, it’s an opportunity to learn the longsuffering and forbearance of Christ. Learn not to react, defend, or respond. Give the matter to the Lord and He will gain ground in you.

As I look at the spiritual landscape of our world today, I’m reminded of a message that I have only delivered twice in my life. The message is called “The Tabernacle of David.” If you’ve never heard it, you can listen to the recording of the first time I ever delivered it. I believe it’s a message for our times, even more so now than when I first spoke it. Go here to give it a listen.

The high-voltage political season in the US has got me thinking about smearfests. Jesus of Nazareth was no politician. Yet He was subject to a continuous stream of smears. Here are 11 accusations that were laid at our Lord’s feet during His day:

He was an illegitimate child, a drunkard, a glutton, a false prophet, a deceiver, a blasphemer, mentally ill, demon possessed, a law-breaker [“unbiblical”], Beelzebub [Satan incarnate], and a temple-destroyer.

Strikingly, the Lord never defended Himself against any of these allegations. That’s just how divine life rolls.[Continue Reading…]

In every presidential election, those who cheer for a particular candidate feel like it’s closed curtains on the free world when their candidate loses. Those on the winning side feel the opposite.

Laying that aside, throughout this year’s US election, countless Christians engaged in the same level of anger, vitriolic rhetoric, and political smackdowns in which the unbelieving world engaged. There was little difference save for the words “Jesus” or “God” peppered in.

As I reflect on the kingdom of God, I believe many of us have forgotten who we are and what our citizenship entails. The kingdom to which we belong isn’t reduced to going to heaven when we die. Nor is it trying to make the world a better place by grabbing political power.

The kingdom of God is here right now (though not in fullness). It broke into this realm 2,000 years ago when Jesus of Nazareth — this world’s true Lord — began a divine insurgence. It’s a kingdom that’s not of this world, yet it’s for this world.[Continue Reading…]

DeVern Fromke is the author of Ultimate Intention – a book that revolutionized my understanding of God’s mission when I was in my 20s. Fromke ministered with T. Austin-Sparks, the man who has had the greatest impact on my work. Fromke also ministered with Stephen Kaung, another mentor of mine (and a co-worker to Watchman Nee).

I met Fromke when I was 28. Since then, I’ve made it a priority to keep in regular contact with him via phone, email, and through in-person meetings. I sought him outand made hearing him speak a priority.

One of the saddest things in life is to have the opportunity to be in the presence of greatness, and let it pass by. DeVern Fromke was a great man. And I thank God for seizing every opportunity to sit at his feet and learn from him, even when it was inconvenient. Fromke went to be with the Lord last Friday (October 28th, 2016). And heaven is now richer. But there is a lesson to be learned.[Continue Reading…]

Last week, I had the privilege of facilitating a mastermind gathering with 12 top-shelf pastors and teachers. The gathering was called MinistryMind 2016. The leaders who attended were incredibly diverse. Men and women came from different parts of the world and represented different theological persuasions.

After our initial dinner together on Wednesday I announced, “For those of you who live outside the USA, there will be a civil war occurring at 9pm and broadcast on television tonight.”

I was speaking about the third Presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

We then met from morning until evening the following day (Thursday) and then again Friday morning.[Continue Reading…]

One of the exercises I give when I hold a connecting event is ask, “If someone made a movie about your life, what would the title be and which actor/actress would play you?”

This exercise gets people in touch with their calling.

Sometimes the emphasis of your calling will change over time, but the central thrust will always be the same.

For instance (speaking personally), back in 2008, people branded me as the “organic church” guy or the “Pagan Christianity” guy. Mainly because of two best-selling books I wrote back then.

Over the last five years, however, that’s all changed. I’m now known as the “Deeper Christian Life” guy or the “Eternal Purpose” guy or the “Christ is All” guy. Mainly because of the books, blogs, and podcasts I’ve released from 2009 to the present.[Continue Reading…]

Countless Christians labor under the idea that life is about working, getting a nice house, raising crumb-snatchers, sending them to college, and having grandchildren. (And of course, going to church and being a “good Christian.”)

After this, they can happily die and go to heaven.

For such souls, everything is built around these values. The wonderful spiritual opportunities they say “no” to are governed by them.

Consequently, God’s Eternal Purpose is not much of a consideration. In fact, many believers have no idea what it is.